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Like we said from the beginning of the blissful journey that has been the midseason signing of elite closer Craig Kimbrel, it was impossible to say precisely just how long it would take for him to join the big league team until the Cubs got their hands on him, so to speak.

There was never any question that Kimbrel had been keeping his arm in shape, nor that he was vaguely ready for a big league season – he recently threw a bullpen for interested teams, after all – but it’s hard to know exactly what that ramp-up is going to look like until he’s working with your crew.

To that end, we saw Kimbrel throwing in the bullpen at Wrigley Field last night during the game:

It's Craig Kimbrel, throwing in the bullpen as a Chicago Cub. I WILL TAKE IT!!! (via the Fox broadcast last night) pic.twitter.com/YqG5gTlhxD

It’s possible Kimbrel will be facing hitters by mid-week, which would in turn raise the possibility that he could head to Iowa for a rehab/conditioning stint as soon as, like, next weekend. Which would be incredible. That would line him up for joining the Cubs at the front end of the home stand that begins with a couple games against the White Sox on June 18.

In other words, Kimbrel might be joining the Cubs with as many as 90 games left this season, and a division to win.

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